Job Discussion Forums

[shibainu69]

I have some questions about Salalah,
sorry they are the same as before about nizwa
are there gyms with aerobics?
is there a mall?
is there bowling and a cinema?
are there some expat wives for my wife to hang around with?
would there be a bit of a social scene I don't mean clubs but some place for expat women to have a chat a cofee and go to the gym etc..

[usa_in_gulf]

No gym
No mall
One old cinema that mostly plays Indian movies
maybe a expat wife or two

I really think you need to do some reaserch about Oman----it seems as though your expectations are way, way, way, way off.

Please research a bit.

[shibainu69]

I thought there are gyms at the hotels like the hilton that has aerobics.
Are you in Salalah or have you lived there?
I would like to hear from somewhere who is actually there at present or who has lived there in the last 2 years.

[Duffy]

shibainu69,

There are gyms at the Hilton and Crown Plaza but you have to pay on a daily basis or be members, sorry, don't know the costs.

The nearest thing to a "Mall" at present is the newly enlarged Isteqrar in New Salalah. Having said that, Lulu's are having a new Hypermarket being built in Al Wadi and there is another mega complex being built nearby.

The Oasis club has a full on American 4 lane bowling alley which the local Omanis seems to enjoy a lot. But the club is very family orientated and is a good place to relax and meet friends over a drink and meal.

I have been told that all the cinemas are closed in Salalah (don't know why) but there will be a new one in the mega complex I mentioned before.

As for social scene, well that is what you or your wife make of it. There is an excellent coffee shop in Isteqrar. There is another excellent coffee shop called Browniz on A'ssallam Steet and the hotel gyms are as mentioned before. A new coffee shop, the "Cafe De Paris" has opened at the Al Baleed Archeological Park end of the "Corniche" (beach area) I have not been in there but from the location I would say that it would be very popular with Omani families in the evenings as a lot of locals got to that part of Haffa beach at that time of day.

I think where you actually live in Salalah may have a bearing on your social life. A car is a must, I hope your wife drives. The Al Bustan Complex where many teachers live consists of 30 two bed villas and has its own swimming pool and small gym but it is a popular place and there might be a wait for one to come free.

Muscat it is not, life here is more laid back and in my opinion that it is because we don't have a great (Western) expat influence here and by this I mean that businesses here are catering for the Omani and Indian/Pakistani population rather than Westerners as can be seen from the complete lack of any well known "Branded" stores one might see in the UK or USA.

Yes there are lots of Westeners but it seems to me that most seem to enjoy the more natural pleasures found out and around Salalah, beaches, mountains and desert, rather than nightclubs and bars found in the capital.

Thats my tuppence worth.

Oh yes, I have been here five years.

Duffy

[usa_in_gulf]

I'm typing you this while sitting at the Crown Plaza in Salalah-- no aerobics.

We own a house in Taqah (about 30 minutes outside of Salalah)--so here all the time......

[shibainu69]

thanks so no aerobics at the crown plaza but the hilton has a health club with memebership right?
how much is rent in salalah and how much to rent a car?

[usa_in_gulf]

Do you realize that the colleges pick you--- you don't pick them. You have asked about several locations----have you been offered a job with any of them?

You resume needs to be approved by the ministry---its then sent to whatever college your recruiter has a slot to fill--the college may or may not pick to interview you---you are then interviewed by the college---and then if they want you--the recruiter makes an offer.

Please not the the colleges receive dozens of resumes a day from the various recruiting offices---they don't choose to interview everyone--some places only interview about 10-20% of the applicants--and then from there decide who they want to hire.

[shibainu69]

I know I have had 3 offers.
If I get an offer from somewhere where there are no gyms, tennis courts or supermarkets, I won't take it, its that simple. I'm not that desperate to get a job that I'm willing to go somewhere I won't like.

[veiledsentiments]

I think your demands may be too specific for these recruiter positions in Oman. It sounds to me as if only Muscat may provide what you want... and only a very few get assigned there.

You mentioned tennis. Are you interested in playing during the 6-7 months of the year when the temperatures are from 38-50C?

And BTW... there is no necessity to put anything in the subject line. I never have in any of my posts...

VS

[amainegypt]

Is housing within the 250 provided? (Omani)

What are the utility expenses as well as wifi??

Is anyone else moving in the next few days?

Thank you.

[veiledsentiments]

[amainegypt]

HI,

Yes, I should clarify s

The contract I have provides 250 OR for housing. I would like to know what I can find/expect for that amount?

Also, what do other costs related to housing amount to, such as: utilities, wifi/ethernet?

One more- will 135 OR be enough for transport, like/say a car?

...and of course, is anyone else moving in the next few days? Are you interested in sharing?

(... I just edited this part) - this is with TATI, of course...

[veiledsentiments]

I can't give specific numbers for you, but can point out that you might want to question the furniture situation. Will that 250 OR provide furnished housing? Are they offering any kind of furniture allowance? In the Muscat area, flats are usually rented completely empty... only plumbing fixtures and perhaps kitchen cupboards. Thus you have to buy appliances and AC units too.

As to the transport allowance, it depends on whether you purchase a car as most do - what kind you choose. If you plan to use public transportation, location will rule cost of taxis and their easy availability or not. My last friend in Salalah got put into housing from her college where there were never any taxis to be seen and taxis didn't want to go out there. Buses seem to never run between where we live and teach... or just my bad luck.

VS

[Duffy]

I regard personal transport a must in Salalah, especially for an expat female possibly living on her own.

A furnished place for 250 is now becoming rare and I don't think there would be much quality in it. Minimum rents on the Al Bustan complex where we used to live ( and where we are back in our old villa for the weeks holiday ) are at lowest, 300 OR monthy for the basic unserviced package. There is still a waiting list to get in here so I think you should look elsewhere, but PM me if you want the contact number.

You should be able to hire a car for around 145 - 160 OR and I would recommend that after you have gone through the three month probation period that you buy a car on a three year credit deal. my wife's Kia Picanto was only 75 OR per month after a 300 OR deposit.

Utilities such as water, gas and electricity are quite reasonable. A gas canister costs 3 OR to replace and will last a good 2-3 months. Free WiFi is available in places like Al Istiqrar shopping mall and Browniz cafe. The Crown Plaza and Hilton hotels charge at a very exhorbitant rate.

Try to avoid the nether regions of the Saddah area of Salalah. Though it is near both Colleges (CoAS & CoT), there have been problems with local Omani children abusing and even in our friends case, stoning her car. The parents do not discipline them so try to be careful about where you choose.

As usual, it is a case of Caveat Empor.

Duffy

[natureguy]

I just returned from house hunting in Salalah (I'll be teaching at the CoT) and got a great 2 bedroom apt. over-looking a beautiful white sand beach for RO 180 per month which I consider to be a great deal. The Cafe de Paris (as mentioned above) is right down the street and is very cool. I have been living in Sohar for 3 years and I personally think Salalah is much more compact, culturally interesting and offers more in a smaller, more accessible area than any other city in Oman. I'm really not a big fan of Muscat as I think it's simply a sprawling suburb with horrific traffic jams. Physically, Salalah reminds me of Thailand, where I lived for 3 years--coconut palm and banana plantations for lovely walks and miles of pristine (by Omani standards) white sand beaches. The only negative I have heard is that the English level of the students is quite low. Good luck in your search!